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Synopsis of What We Believe, Teach and Practice

As a people, we are united in faith to observe and teach all the principles of the first Christian Church founded by Christ and the Apostles. We believe in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – Three Persons in One Godhead – as set forth in the Scriptures. We “contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered unto the saints"- the faith that honors God by obedience to His Word. We believe that now, as in the time of the Apostles, God “commands all men everywhere to repent” and believe the Gospel. The first principles of the Gospel were and are, repentance towards God, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Baptism of repentant believers by immersion unto remission of sins - through the Atonement – and for the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands (see the doctrines of Christ, Hebrews 6:1-2 and 13:8; Acts 2:38-39). Thus the gift of the Holy Spirit follows Baptism, through the ordinance of the laying on of hands with prayer. (Acts 8:17; see also Acts 9:17; and I Corinthians 12:4-11). These spiritual gifts are for every member of the Body or Church of Christ on the earth, as He the Holy Spirit wills. (2 John 9) We believe that all true ministers - Bishops, Elders and Pastors - should be called to their sacred work by the Holy Spirit, and set apart by fasting, prayer and the laying on of hands of those previously ordained, according to the Scriptures. “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away." - (Acts 13:2-3, see also Deuteronomy 34:9). We teach and administer the fullness of the Gospel, strictly observing all things the Lord hath commanded in His Word. (Matthew 4:4) We believe that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as ransom for all…” (1 Timothy 2:4-6) We believe that God is unchangeable, and is no respecter of persons or generations, and therefore the power of God by the signs promised by Christ with the Gospel, shall follow them that believe. We maintain that the Church is composed of baptized believers who continue steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship. We believe that they, as well as other congregants and visitors who are properly prepared, should partake of the Lord's Supper often in remembrance of His death until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:27-29) We invite all - individuals and churches - who love the truth in its old-time fullness and simplicity, and are seeking to return from the systems of uninspired men to “the old paths” of power and blessing, to contact us.

(This Synopsis of what we believe, teach and practice, was written originally in 1899. The original was authored by the late Rev. H. Augustus Squire, founder of the English Conference and first President and Presiding Bishop of the International Old Baptist Union. Adapted and adopted by the Old Baptist Union in America, upon the regeneration of the denomination on July 16, 2011.)